Death toll at 147 as NZ holds day of mourning for victims
Source: Agencies |
February 28, 2011, Monday
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RESIDENTS held open-air prayers for the dead and missing yesterday on the lawns of churches cracked and shattered in New Zealand's earthquake while teams -continued their search through debris of one of the country's worst disasters.
"As our citizens make their way to church this Sunday they will be joined in prayer by millions around the world," said Mayor Bob Parker of the devastated city of Christchurch. "For now we are truly comforted by the thoughts and prayers of so many."
The official death toll rose yesterday to 147 and was expected to rise further, Police Superintendent Dave Cliff said. Prime Minister John Key has said the quake, which decimated the city's downtown, may be the country's "single-most tragic" disaster.
When the quake ripped through the city last Tuesday, the city's churches were among the hardest-hit buildings. Among them was the iconic Christchurch Cathedral, at the heart of the city, which suffered massive -damage, its bell tower in ruins and 22 people potentially lying dead inside.
Still, many residents of the largely Christian city found a way to hold Mass yesterday.
Parishioners set up rows of chairs in the sunlight and under the shade of trees on the lawn of St Barnabas, an 86-year-old Anglican church where the quake cracked stone walls, shattered some stained glass windows and left the tower sinking. Wails of passing police cars and the roar of a military helicopter overhead occasionally interrupted the sermon.
Reverend Philip Robinson later tried to rally the somber crowd.
"This is not called Christchurch for nothing," he said, drawing smiles from a few. "We will rise again."
After the service, people gathered by a table on the lawn to have coffee, scones and banana bread, and to comfort those still struggling. Megan Blakie, 45, stood in the crowd with tears. "I just am struggling with where's God in all of this?" she said. "It's not -shattered my faith, but it's hard to keep going."
Outdoor services were also held at other churches and at a library, where attendees arrived on bicycle or on foot and sat in folding chairs. Church leaders had canceled a larger, multi-denominational service in a park for fear of clogging roads for emergency services.
Members of New Zealand's indigenous Maori community held a tradition ceremony at the ruined cathedral to bless spirits of the dead -believed to be buried under the rubble there.
Cliff, the police superintendent, said the official death toll rose to 147 based on the number of bodies brought to a special morgue.
"As our citizens make their way to church this Sunday they will be joined in prayer by millions around the world," said Mayor Bob Parker of the devastated city of Christchurch. "For now we are truly comforted by the thoughts and prayers of so many."
The official death toll rose yesterday to 147 and was expected to rise further, Police Superintendent Dave Cliff said. Prime Minister John Key has said the quake, which decimated the city's downtown, may be the country's "single-most tragic" disaster.
When the quake ripped through the city last Tuesday, the city's churches were among the hardest-hit buildings. Among them was the iconic Christchurch Cathedral, at the heart of the city, which suffered massive -damage, its bell tower in ruins and 22 people potentially lying dead inside.
Still, many residents of the largely Christian city found a way to hold Mass yesterday.
Parishioners set up rows of chairs in the sunlight and under the shade of trees on the lawn of St Barnabas, an 86-year-old Anglican church where the quake cracked stone walls, shattered some stained glass windows and left the tower sinking. Wails of passing police cars and the roar of a military helicopter overhead occasionally interrupted the sermon.
Reverend Philip Robinson later tried to rally the somber crowd.
"This is not called Christchurch for nothing," he said, drawing smiles from a few. "We will rise again."
After the service, people gathered by a table on the lawn to have coffee, scones and banana bread, and to comfort those still struggling. Megan Blakie, 45, stood in the crowd with tears. "I just am struggling with where's God in all of this?" she said. "It's not -shattered my faith, but it's hard to keep going."
Outdoor services were also held at other churches and at a library, where attendees arrived on bicycle or on foot and sat in folding chairs. Church leaders had canceled a larger, multi-denominational service in a park for fear of clogging roads for emergency services.
Members of New Zealand's indigenous Maori community held a tradition ceremony at the ruined cathedral to bless spirits of the dead -believed to be buried under the rubble there.
Cliff, the police superintendent, said the official death toll rose to 147 based on the number of bodies brought to a special morgue.
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